Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-15 City Council Agenda Packet 1 12/15/08 MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE. DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS. Agenda posted according to PAMC Section 2.04.070. A binder containing supporting materials is available in the Council Chambers on the Friday preceding the meeting. Special Meeting December 15, 2008 6:00 PM ROLL CALL STUDY SESSION COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM 1. Annual Joint Meeting with the Architectural Review Board Discussing Palo Alto Architectural Issues Attachment 7:00 PM or as soon as possible thereafter SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 2. Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation to William Fellman Upon His Retirement Attachment CITY MANAGER COMMENTS ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Members of the public may speak to any item not on the agenda; three minutes per speaker. Council reserves the right to limit the duration or Oral Communications period to 30 minutes. MINUTES 12/15/08 2 MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE. DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS. November 03, 2008 CONSENT CALENDAR Items will be voted on in one motion unless removed from the calendar by two Council Members. 3. Adoption of a Resolution Declaring Weeds to be a Nuisance and Setting January 12, 2009 for a Public Hearing for Objections to Proposed Weed Abatement CMR 457:08 4. Approval of Amendment to Contract No. TC08125124 for Municipal Services Center (MSC) Warehouse Stock Items with HD Supply Utilities, LTD. From the Current Maximum of $250,000 to a Not-to- Exceed Amount of $475,000 for the Acquisition of Electrical Utility Parts on an As-Needed-Basis CMR 468:08 5. Approval of an Amendment to Participating Agency Agreement with County of Santa Clara to Add Provisions for Administration of the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program, Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) Program and Single Fee System CMR 461:08 6. Approval of Amendment No. One to Contract No. C08126592 with the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation in the Amount of $78,580 for a Total Not to Exceed Amount of $368,580 for the Planning and Design Phase for the Renovation and Capital Improvements to the Palo Alto Art Center, Capital Improvement Program Project PF-07000 CMR 465:08 Attachment 12/15/08 3 MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE. DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS. 7. Finance Committee Recommendation to Approve City Auditor’s Fiscal Year 2008-09 Work Plan Attachment 8. Adoption of a Resolution Declaring Results of the Consolidated Special Municipal Election Held on November 04, 2008 Attachment 9. Approval of a Contract with Life Insurance Company of North America for Underwriting of the City of Palo Alto’s Group Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), and Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD) Plans for Up to Three Years in an Amount of $707,545 Per Year for a Total Not to Exceed Amount of $2,122,635 CMR 476:08 Attachment 10. Approval of a Contract with Delta Dental for Claims Administration Services for the City of Palo Alto’s Self-funded Dental Plan for Up to Three Years in a Total Not to Exceed Amount of $291,412 CMR 477:08 Attachment 11. Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation to Tony Choy Upon His Retirement Attachment 12. Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement with Former Director of Administrative Services Carl Yeats to Increase Interest Rate and Extend Due Date of Residential Loan 12/15/08 4 MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE. DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS. CMR 475:08 Attachment AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS HEARINGS REQUIRED BY LAW: Applications and/or appellants may have up to ten minutes at the outset of the public discussion to make their remarks and put up to three minutes for concluding remarks after other members of the public have spoken. OTHER AGENDA ITEMS: Public comments or testimony on agenda items other than Oral Communications shall be limited to a maximum of five minutes per speaker unless additional time is granted by the presiding officer. The presiding officer may reduce the allowed time to less than five minutes if necessary to accommodate a larger number of speakers. REPORTS OF OFFICIALS 13. Discussion of Police Department Action Plan for Outreach to Diverse Communities CMR 474:08 14. Review of Composting Feasibility Study and Direction Regarding Continued Composting Operations in Palo Alto CMR 470:08 Attachment COUNCIL MATTERS 15. Colleague’s Memo from Council Member’s Barton, Espinosa and Kishimoto Requesting Report on High Speed Rail Station in Palo Alto Attachment COUNCIL COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND REPORTS FROM CONFERENCES Members of the public may not speak to the item(s). ADJOURNMENT Persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids or services in using City facilities, services, or programs or who would like information on the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (Voice) 24 hours in advance. RESOLUTION RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO WILLIAM FELLMAN UPON HIS RETIREMENT WHEREAS, William Fellman served the City of Palo Alto for 23 years from November 12, 1985 to December 19, 2008 as Real Property Manager; and WHEREAS, William Fellman effectively managed and utilized City-owned real property assets to maximize both monetary and non-monetary benefits to the City and the citizens of this community; and WHEREAS, William Fellman’s leadership made possible the significant community benefits of major public/private partnerships such as the Gamble Garden Center, the Museum of American Heritage, the Winter Lodge Ice Skating and Tennis facility, major improvements to the Childrens’ Theater, the lease of the Sea Scout Building to the Environmental Volunteers; and the option to lease the Roth Building to the Palo Alto History Museum; and WHEREAS, William Fellman skillfully negotiated and managed the closing of the Yacht Harbor, the use and disposition of closed well sites and school sites including the Lease and Covenant Not to Develop and the Cubberley/Terman Land Swap; the Webster/Cowper Garage Air Rights lease; the purchase of the Los Altos Treatment Plant; the Palo Alto Airport leases for the golf pro and the golf course café; and the Palo Alto Train Depot leases for the Bike Station and the Depot Café Service; and WHEREAS, William Fellman managed 482 easement acquisitions, 15 fee acquisitions, 54 easement vacations, 59 leases and 25 permits and licenses; and WHEREAS, William Fellman worked as a team player with many and various community groups, business people, and staff from all City departments; and WHEREAS, William Fellman is recognized by all those he worked with for being helpful, professional, innovative, enthusiastic and for his consistent and exceptional good humor; and WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto desires to recognize the meritorious service of William Fellman. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby commends the outstanding public service of William Fellman and records its appreciation as well as the appreciation of the citizens of this community for the service and contributions rendered during his 23 years of employment with the City. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENTIONS: ABSENT: ATTEST: APPROVED: _____________________________ _____________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: _____________________________ City Attorney _____________________________ City Manager RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO WILLIAM FELLMAN UPON HIS RETIREMENT WHEREAS, William Fellman served the City of Palo Alto for 23 years from November 12, 1985 to December 19, 2008 as Real Property Manager; and WHEREAS, William Fellman effectively managed and utilized City-owned real property assets to maximize both monetary and non-monetary benefits to the City and the citizens of this community; and WHEREAS, William Fellman’s leadership made possible the significant community benefits of major public/private partnerships such as the Gamble Garden Center, the Museum of American Heritage, the Winter Lodge Ice Skating and Tennis facility, major improvements to the Childrens’ Theater, the lease of the Sea Scout Building to the Environmental Volunteers; and the option to lease the Roth Building to the Palo Alto History Museum; and WHEREAS, William Fellman skillfully negotiated and managed the closing of the Yacht Harbor, the use and disposition of closed well sites and school sites including the Lease and Covenant Not to Develop and the Cubberley/Terman Land Swap; the Webster/Cowper Garage Air Rights lease; the purchase of the Los Altos Treatment Plant; the Palo Alto Airport leases for the golf pro and the golf course café; and the Palo Alto Train Depot leases for the Bike Station and the Depot Café Service; and WHEREAS, William Fellman managed 482 easement acquisitions, 15 fee acquisitions, 54 easement vacations, 59 leases and 25 permits and licenses; and WHEREAS, William Fellman worked as a team player with many and various community groups, business people, and staff from all City departments; and WHEREAS, William Fellman is recognized by all those he worked with for being helpful, professional, innovative, enthusiastic and for his consistent and exceptional good humor; and WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto desires to recognize the meritorious service of William Fellman. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby commends the outstanding public service of William Fellman and records its appreciation as well as the appreciation of the citizens of this community for the service and contributions rendered during his 23 years of employment with the City. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: DECEMBER 15, 2008 ATTEST: APPROVED: _____________________________ _____________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: _____________________________ City Attorney _____________________________ City Manager CMR: 457:08 Page 1 of 2 TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DATE: DECEMBER 15, 2008 CMR: 457:08 SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Declaring Weeds to be a Nuisance and Setting January 12, 2009 for a Public Hearing for Objections to Proposed Weed Abatement RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council: 1) Adopt the attached resolution declaring weeds to be a public nuisance and setting January 12, 2009 for a public hearing; and 2) Direct staff to publish a notice of hearing in accordance with the provisions of the Palo Alto Municipal Code. DISCUSSION Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 8.08 specifies weed abatement procedures. The chapter requires property owners or occupants to remove certain weeds, as defined in Section 8.08.010 that exist upon their premises, public sidewalks, streets or alleys. It also specifies the procedures to be followed to abate weeds, in the event owners do not remove them. These procedures are: - Resolution of the City Council declaring weeds to be a public nuisance. This resolution sets the time and place for hearing any objections to the proposed weed abatement. - Publication of notice. This notice informs property owners of the passage of the resolution and provides that property owners shall remove weeds from their property, or the abatement will be carried out by Santa Clara County (County). The City then publishes a legal advertisement in the local newspaper announcing the date of the public hearing. - Public Hearing. The Council must conduct a public hearing, at which time any property owner may appear and object to the proposed weed destruction or removal. After the City Council hearing and considering any objections, the Council may allow or overrule any or all objections. If objections are overruled, the Council is deemed to have acquired jurisdiction to proceed, at which point the County will be asked to perform the work of destruction and removal of weeds. The action taken by the Council at the December 15 meeting will set this public hearing date for January 12, 2009. On March 21, 1977, the City Council approved an agreement with Santa Clara County for the administration of weed abatement within the City of Palo Alto. This agreement has reduced the City's costs and staff time required for administration of weed abatement. For the past 31 seasons, the weed abatement program has been expeditiously carried out by the County Department of CMR: 457:08 Page 2 of 2 Agriculture and Resource Management with results satisfactory to Palo Alto residents. RESOURCE IMPACT There is no direct fiscal impact of this action to the City. The City of Palo Alto administers the weed abatement program with the County Department of Agriculture and Resource Management with a minimal amount of staff time. All charges for the weed abatement services are included as a special assessment on bills for taxes levied against the respective lots and parcels of land. Such charges are considered liens on these properties. The Weed Abatement Program is a cost recovery program and does not receive funding from city or county general funds. Beginning in 2009, and pursuant to Government Code Section 39573 and Health and Safety Code 14902, the County will include an inspection/investigation charge of $298 to property owners who are issued a notice to abate at the time of initial inspection. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Santa Clara County Counsel has determined the Weed Abatement Program to be Categorically Exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308. ATTACHMENTS A: Resolution Declaring Weeds to be a Nuisance and Setting January 12, 2009 for a Public Hearing for Objections to Proposed Weed Abatement Prepared By:_____________________________ GORDON SIMPKINSON Acting Fire Marshal Department Head Review: NICHOLAS MARINARO Fire Chief City Manager Approval: JAMES KEENE City Manager CMR 461:08 Page 1 of 3 TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: FIRE AGENDA DATE: DECEMBER 15, 2008 CMR: 461:08 SUBJECT: Approval of an Amendment to Participating Agency Agreement with County of Santa Clara to Add Provisions for Administration of the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program, Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) Program and Single Fee System RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends that Council approve the attached Amendment (Attachment 1). This Amendment updates the existing agreement with Santa Clara County to: (1) update Aboveground Storage Tank program responsibilities to reflect recent changes to state law; (2) assign responsibility for Underground Storage Tanks to the County; and (3) transfer administration of the Single Fee System currently conducted by the City to the County. The City will continue to conduct all other programs as authorized in the current Agreement. BACKGROUND The Palo Alto Fire Department has enforced local and State Underground Storage Tank (UST) regulations since 1983. There are currently 73 underground storage tanks operating in the City. All of the regulated underground storage tank facilities have undergone several mandated upgrades to significantly reduce the potential for releases from the tanks and associated piping. In 2007, the Fire Department evaluated the elements and time commitment devoted by City staff to the underground storage tank program and concluded that transferring UST responsibilities to the County would help enhance level of service provided by the Fire Department in all areas of hazardous materials management. Specifically, the County would perform the same level of UST program service. Since the County operates at 100 percent cost recovery for this program there will be an increased cost to business. Facilities with a single UST will see an increase of $229 per year. Large facilities (service stations) with multiple tanks will see an increase of up to $1624 per year, per site. The Fire Department inspection staff (approximately equivalent to .30 full time employee) will then be available to conduct other critical fire and hazardous materials facility inspections. This transfer to the County is expected to reduce revenues from permitting and inspection services previously provided by the City by approximately $30,000 per fiscal year. The reduction in revenue is anticipated to be offset with additional permitting and inspection fees. Inspectors will focus on facilities that need to be brought into compliance with certificate of occupancy requirements as well as facilities where substantial hazards exist and closer over-sight is necessary. In 2007, a letter of intent was signed by the City Manager to the CMR 461:08 Page 2 of 3 County Executive to transfer these programs to the County and directed Fire Department staff to work with County staff to prepare for this transfer. The City has provided data to the State each year on aboveground storage tanks, which the state Water Quality Control Board has used to regulate those tanks. However, Assembly Bill 1130 went into effect on January 1, 2008 and transferred responsibility for enforcement and administration to Certified Unified Program Agencies and Participating Agencies. This amendment establishes that the City will continue to gather the aboveground storage tank data and assume responsibility for regulating the additional elements assigned by AB 1130. Finally, the single fee system, which provides businesses with a single invoice for local, county and state hazardous materials fees, has been implemented by the City of Palo Alto since 1998. With approval of this amendment, the County will administer that system by providing for inspection services, billing and collection, enforcement and compliance issues, and program oversight. County administration will ease administration responsibilities and workload for City staff, and, because the County’s billing system contains greater efficiencies, is anticipated to provide an enhanced ability to collect. The County has agreed to provide this service at no cost to the City and will provide an annual report. RESOURCE IMPACT The transition of the UST program to the County will result in the reduction of $30,000 in Hazardous Materials Permit fees. It is anticipated that the increased availability of the Fire Department inspection staff to reduce the backlog and conduct Use and Occupancy fee inspections in the next six months will offset the revenue reduction. Training staff to administer the new aboveground storage tank regulations will be covered by grant funding, and Cal/EPA will be providing inspection training in spring of 2009. In addition, the Fire department will review any increases in time needed to administer the new AST elements and adjust the fee schedule accordingly. POLICY IMPLICATIONS This recommendation is consistent with existing City policies. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT This is not an action requiring review under the California Environmental Quality Act. ATTACHMENTS/EXHIBITS Attachment 1-Amendment to Participating Agency Agreement Attachment 2-Participating Agency Agreement Prepared By: ____________________________ GORDON SIMPKINSON Acting Fire Marshal CMR 461:08 Page 3 of 3 Department Head Review: __________________________ NICK MARINARO Fire Chief City Manager Approval: ______________________________________ JAMES KEENE City Manager   RESOLUTION RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO TONY CHOY UPON HIS RETIREMENT WHEREAS, Tony Choy has served the City of Palo Alto from September 30, 1985 to December 30, 2008 as Utilities Instrumentation Technician, Senior Electrician/Instrumentation Technician, and Lead Electrician; and WHEREAS, Tony Choy has enhanced the quality of life and protected the public health of the citizens of Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, East Palo Alto Sanitary District, and Stanford University by maintaining the Regional Water Quality Control Plant; and WHEREAS, Tony Choy, in his 23 years of service has safeguarded and enhanced the water quality of the Palo Alto Baylands and San Francisco Bay through expert maintenance of the Regional Water Quality Control Plant’s electrical and control systems; and WHEREAS, Tony Choy has demonstrated respectfulness towards others, a mastery of plant electrical systems, a vast knowledge of electrical and instrumentation systems, and numerous work accomplishments; and WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto desires to recognize the meritorious service of Tony Choy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby commends the outstanding public service of Tony Choy and records its appreciation as well as the appreciation of the citizens of the service area served by the Regional Water Quality Control Plant for the service and contributions rendered during his 23 years of employment with the City of Palo Alto. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: DECEMBER 15, 2008 AYES: BARTON, BURT, DREKMEIER, ESPINOSA, KISHIMOTO, KLEIN, MORTON, SCHMID, YEH NOES: ABSENTIONS: ABSENT: ATTEST: APPROVED: _____________________________ _____________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________ ______________________________ City Attorney City Manager   RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO TONY CHOY UPON HIS RETIREMENT WHEREAS, Tony Choy has served the City of Palo Alto from September 30, 1985 to December 30, 2008 as Utilities Instrumentation Technician, Senior Electrician/Instrumentation Technician, and Lead Electrician; and WHEREAS, Tony Choy has enhanced the quality of life and protected the public health of the citizens of Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, East Palo Alto Sanitary District, and Stanford University by maintaining the Regional Water Quality Control Plant; and WHEREAS, Tony Choy, in his 23 years of service has safeguarded and enhanced the water quality of the Palo Alto Baylands and San Francisco Bay through expert maintenance of the Regional Water Quality Control Plant’s electrical and control systems; and WHEREAS, Tony Choy has demonstrated respectfulness towards others, a mastery of plant electrical systems, a vast knowledge of electrical and instrumentation systems, and numerous work accomplishments; and WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto desires to recognize the meritorious service of Tony Choy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby commends the outstanding public service of Tony Choy and records its appreciation as well as the appreciation of the citizens of the service area served by the Regional Water Quality Control Plant for the service and contributions rendered during his 23 years of employment with the City of Palo Alto. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: DECEMBER 15, 2008 ATTEST: APPROVED: ________________________ _________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________ City Attorney _____ ___________________ City Manager CMR:474:08 Page 1 of 4 TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: POLICE DATE: DECEMBER 15, 2008 CMR:474:08 SUBJECT: Discussion of Police Department Action Plan for Outreach to Diverse Communities EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report provides a detailed action plan developed by the Police Chief and command staff to improve relations between the Police Department and members of diverse communities. This plan was prepared after meetings with representatives of the faith community, Stanford African- American students, the Executive Director of the San Jose NAACP, and other members of the community. The plan calls for the Police Department to make enhancements to various facets of police training, enhance communications through various community meetings, the formation of a Chief’s Advisory Committee, and work with the Independent Police Auditor to review current policies and procedures and to make adjustments as necessary. DISCUSSION To adequately engage the community, the Police Department will initiate a number of community activities both within the city of Palo Alto, as well as in neighboring cities. The plan calls for enhanced communications with the schools, the community and faith-based organizations. It should be noted that engaging in community outreach and policing beyond the city is unusual but staff is confident that it is the right thing to do and will enhance relations with the wider community and our neighbors. For this plan to have meaningful results it will require all parties to have a total commitment to effective police-community relations and to participate in the open dialogue. Staff envisions this plan to be long-term and to be based upon the premise of building lasting relationships. The qualitative analysis of the success of the program may be difficult to determine; however staff will continue to work towards finding meaningful metrics to reflect the plan’s effectiveness. Staff will include this plan as an element within the Police Department Strategic Plan and report to the City Manager semi-annually. The City Manager will provide a report to Council. Staff may make adjustments to the plan based upon interest levels, meeting attendance and successes. The elements of the plan are as follows: CMR:474:08 Page 2 of 4 Monthly Meetings with the Chief: Each month the Police Department will schedule a meeting open to the public that will give the community an opportunity to discuss current issues and police practices and express concerns. Police personnel will also have an opportunity to present crime prevention tips, review crime trends and answer any questions. The Menlo Park and East Palo Alto Police Department Police Chiefs will be invited to participate at some of these meetings. These meetings will take place at various locations including churches, community centers and businesses. The Police Department will publicize the dates and locations well in advance to encourage attendance. Community Advisory Committee: A diverse cross-section of the community will be selected to meet with the Police Chief and command staff on a regular basis. Representatives from the faith community, NAACP, youth organizations, residents of East Palo Alto and Palo Alto, will be among the members of the committee. It is anticipated that this group will consist of eight to twelve individuals. The group’s role will be to advise the Chief on police practices and race relations in order to strengthen police-community trust and to report back to constituents about activities in which the Police Department is involved. The selection process will include public posting for persons who may be interested in serving on this committee. Selection criteria will be developed with the assistance of the City’s Human Relations Commission (HRC). Actual selection will be made after an interview process. Members of the HRC will assist in the interviews and selection. U.S. Department of Justice Mediation Program: The Police Department will explore enlisting the services of the United States Department of Justice (US DOJ) Community Relations Service and the Santa Clara County Office of Human Relations (SSCOHR) to engage with the community in Palo Alto and throughout the Peninsula in order to develop trust and to create meaningful dialogue on matters of race and police practice. Meetings will be facilitated by personnel from US DOJ and SCCOHR and would include community members and police personnel. Meetings will focus on specific issues associated with race relations and include breakout groups that will develop strategies for improvement. Tools for Tolerance Executive Leadership Course: All Police Department command staff will attend the Tools for Tolerance Executive Leadership Course at the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. This two-day, POST reimbursable course examines the dimensions of diversity and leadership focusing on the unique challenges in an increasingly democratic and diverse society. Briefing Training: The Police Department will implement a state-of-the-art Daily Training regimen that will focus on Constitutional issues, case law decisions and Department policy. This program will ensure that all patrol personnel will receive a new block of training each day that they are assigned to work. This training will include a lecture, examples and a test ensuring that the officers understand the curriculum. Records of subjects and test results will be maintained in the Personnel and Training Division Training Management System computer. Field Training Officer Training: The Police Department will enhance training in the Field Training Officer Program (FTO), in-house training for dispatchers and officers, in the area of CMR:474:08 Page 3 of 4 race relations, crisis communications and cultural issues. This training will include lecture, role playing and case studies reviewed by command staff designed to ensure that officers and dispatchers understand organizational expectations. Continued Professional Training: Each year the Police Department puts on approximately 55 hours of training for their personnel. The Police Department will enhance in-service training for sworn, dispatchers, and records personnel on topics that include Constitutional issues, cultural issues and unconscious biases. This training will be presented by both Department personnel and external subject matter experts. Independent Police Auditor: Command staff will work closely with the Independent Police Auditor to review current practices, policies and procedures to ensure that the Department is in compliance and also to determine if any policies should be updated or otherwise modified. Command staff will work with the Independent Auditor to ensure that they have access to all necessary material and understand Department protocols so that they can provide the Council an accurate evaluation of current systems. Upon completion of the Auditor’s report, command staff will review and implement recommended improvements. The Independent Auditor will also review and analyze the demographic data collection process and the data that has been compiled. Additional efforts will be made to obtain analysis of the data by external experts in demographic data collection. Meetings with Students: The Police Department will continue meeting with Stanford University groups to discuss issues pertaining to race and police practices. Additionally, staff will work with PAUSD staff to engage Gunn and Palo Alto High School students to engage in a similar dialogue. Staff will also attempt to encourage high schools in neighboring communities to join the discussion. Meetings with the Faith-Based Community: Department staff will continue to meet with local (within the City and beyond) churches and clergy to discuss police practices and community issues. Staff will also investigate the feasibility of implementing a Police Chaplaincy Program where clergy from a variety of faiths would assist the Police Department in the following manner: 1.) Serve as liaison with the faith-based organizations of East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Palo Alto. 2.) Assist the Department and other agencies in dealing with at-risk youth and their families. 3.) Upon request, provide support to Police Department employees and/or their families during crisis situations. 4.) Assist in providing support to victims and victims’ families. Staff believes that this action plan, together with the variety of other activities already undertaken by the Police Department (See Attachment A) will enhance relations and rebuild trust between the Department and members of diverse communities. CMR:474:08 Page 4 of 4 RESOURCE IMPACT This is an ambitious and comprehensive outreach plan. Staff believes that the majority of items in the action plan can be absorbed within the Police Department’s existing budget. There probably will be some costs associated with the initiation of a Chaplaincy Program. Staff will inform Council of these costs when a program overview and analysis has been completed. ATTACHMENT Attachment A: CMR:324:08 – List of Police Department Community Outreach Activities PREPARED BY: ___________________________________ DENNIS BURNS Assistant Police Chief DEPARTMENT HEAD: ___________________________________ LYNNE JOHNSON Police Chief CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: ___________________________________ JAMES KEENE City Manager Office of the City Council M E M O R A N D U M DATE: December 15, 2008 TO: City Council Colleagues FROM: Council Members Sid Espinosa, Yoriko Kishimoto and John Barton SUBJECT: Request for Report on High Speed Rail Station in Palo Alto _____________________________________________________________ In November, the voters passed Proposition 1A, the statewide High Speed Rail (HSR) bond measure which raises the possibility of an expanded station in downtown Palo Alto. Proposition 1A authorized $9.95 billion in bond funds to plan and construct the first phase of the 800 mile statewide rail system. The first phase would connect San Francisco to Los Angeles by way of the Pacheco Pass, identified at the preferred alternative in the High Speed Rail Authority’s program environmental impact report. The Pacheco Pass alternative means that the Caltrain corridor would be utilized to connect San Francisco to San Jose and identifies possible stations in either Palo Alto or Redwood City. A Palo Alto High Speed Rail station raises several important policy considerations for Council to consider. Therefore, we are seeking our colleague’s support for staff direction to return to Council within 60 days with a report which responds to the following questions: 1. What criteria and time frame will the High Speed Rail Authority use to select final station locations? 2. What are the potential cost impacts to the City should Palo Alto be designated as an HSR station? 3. What impact will HSR have on existing Caltrain service? 4. What are the anticipated land use, infrastructure and environmental impacts of an HSR station? 5. How and when will decisions be made on how HSR and Caltrain will pass through Palo Alto (trench raised, underground, ground level) and how options might be financed since existing bond financing will not be sufficient? 6. What are the potential economic development impacts to Palo Alto? 7. What are the options for how HSR operates on the Peninsula such as speed and frequency and what mitigations are envisioned? 8. What are the potential economic benefits of HSR access in Palo Alto? What are the potential impacts if the station were located in Redwood City? 15 We fully expect that staff will have other questions which they are encouraged to include in this report. We have also consulted with staff regarding possible work load impacts of this request. Planning and Transportation staff is currently working on impacts of the HSR in Palo Alto and is a part of the Department’s work plan. Because the development of High Speed Rail has major policy implications for Palo Alto as well as the State, we urge our colleagues to support this request.